Skype, famous for launching the first
popular Internet VoIP communications software, previously had a
subscription or pay mode called SkypeOut. The feature enabled Skype
users within the US and Canada to make calls to landlines for small
fees. After paying or adding pre-paid credit, users would then be
able to use Skype on their computers to make calls to anywhere within
the US -- to other Skype users (for free) and to regular land lines.

Today, Skype announces a major milestone in VoIP
communication: free calls to any land line in the US and Canada, free
of charge. No strings attached, at all. Simply use your existing
Skype software and SkypeOut login, and begin making those calls. Call
lengths are unlimited and can be made at any time during the day or
night. From
the press release:

Yes. It is really very, very free.
There’s no prepayment, no minimum use, no subscription, no monthly
fee, no nothing. You just download and install Skype and then you
start calling. Both the caller and the number called must be in
either the US or Canada. There are no strings attached.

The
only condition is that we have said free SkypeOut within the US and
Canada is guaranteed to last until the end of this year — that is,
until December 31, 2006. We’re not quite sure yet what we will do
after that. Maybe we extend the free period, maybe not. You’ll hear
more about this towards the end of the year.

This marks a
major milestone not only for Skype, but for making calls within the
US and Canada in all of history. Never has a company offered free
calling to land lines in the US and Canada, and while the hurrah of
VoIP promised to remove customers from the grasps of large telcos,
Skype has truly made VoIP what it was intended to be. Although Skype
is still unsure of what it will do with this free SkypeOut feature
once 2007 hits, everyone is hoping that Skype will continue its
breakthrough for the long haul.

"If a man really wants to make a million dollars, the best way would be to start his own religion." -- Scientology founder L. Ron. Hubbard